WATCH: Black Umfolosi to celebrate 41 years

AFTER an impressive four decades of touring the globe and commemorating anniversaries on stages around the world, Black Umfolosi is gearing up to mark its 41st anniversary with a grand celebration at the Bulawayo Theatre in November. The legendary Imbube group has made a name for itself by taking African music and dance to international audiences, creating dazzling spectacles on some of the world’s biggest stages.

Yet, the past four decades have been far from a smooth ride, marked by trials and tribulations that saw some members leave while others embarked on different journeys. Today, the group’s director, Sotja Moyo, stands as the sole surviving founding member, a testament to his unwavering commitment to preserving the group’s legacy. Against all odds, he has kept the Black Umfolosi spirit alive by recruiting new members and mentoring fresh talent to carry the torch forward.

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Showbiz, Moyo shared his excitement about this upcoming milestone celebration, which promises to be a special event tailored to accommodate families.

“Ever since we entered the arts industry, we have never done any big celebration at home because we have always been travelling and sometimes we just acknowledged the milestone during our performance.

“It has been quiet a journey and the group has evolved over the years. We are now more focused on grooming the young blood, so that they carry the torch forward and the rehearsals for the big day are going well,” he said.

Playing a pivotal role in the group’s evolution is songstress Luchi Shiki, daughter of Sotja Moyo, who has temporarily set aside her own artistic pursuits to dedicate herself to preserving the Black Umfolosi legacy.

“I grew up around the group, before I became the artist that people know today, I was Black Umfolosi first my roots in music are within this group and preserving the legacy is a priority to me.

“We have several new group members and some of them are high school students. I must say that, as young people, we have really learnt a lot and it is a privilege to be walking in the footsteps of our elders who are celebrated legends worldwide,” she said.

To further their mission of preserving Imbube music and supporting local groups, Black Umfolosi, in collaboration with Thobela Arts, recently hosted an Imbube Milestone event at the Enkundleni cultural center in Luveve. This initiative not only honors their own legacy but also contributes to the promotion of this cherished musical tradition and the growth of emerging talents.